United put in a limp performance against their fierce rivals at Anfield going down 2-0 in the last-16 first-leg tie, which was the first meeting between the teams in UEFA competition.
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Under-pressure Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will know by next Wednesday whether to resign his fate to the club’s owners or to keep confounding the media and United fans over his future with the club.
Attacking midfielder Mata praised his compatriot, but urged United to learn quickly from the poor performance.
United had won their four previous games against Liverpool under Van Gaal but rarely looked like beating them on Thursday.
“But it would be unsafe, suicidal, if we approach the game like “they are playing badly, we are playing well, and we are going to cruise it”.
The Frenchman was tumbling at the back at a time where Manchester United really should have capitalized, but Sakho quickly recovered and for the rest of the match, ensured there weren’t as many scary moments.
“We gave them [United] no time in any situation”.
“I wouldn’t necessary say it was about revenge but it was an important result for us, especially to get a clean sheet”.
Winning Europe’s second-tier club tournament appears to be United’s best chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season but goals from Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino either side of halftime has severely dented their hopes.
The bookies have Liverpool favourites for the first leg, although United have come away victorious from Anfield on their last two visits, including a 1-0 win earlier this season. The word realistic is only how someone decides to use it and Jurgen Klopp is ensuring the Europa League can also remain a “realistic” aim for his side. The youngster has gone onto score 10 goals in all competitions so far this term and has become one of Louis van Gaal’s most trusted players. But still we have the chance to win something and you have to believe in that.
“As a human being I could really celebrate and say it is the best and greatest ever but I don’t want to set a limit for them, I don’t know how strong they can be”.
“[The result] is disappointing, I can not deny that”.
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“I don’t want to discuss that with you because you are not part of the people who will determine”, Van Gaal said.
